Community Hubs & Climate Change A Feasibility Assessment

December 2018 Acknowledgements

Principal Authors This project is a collaboration between Enviromentum, Emmay Mah the Community Benefits Network and the Dusha Sritharan Toronto Environmental Alliance. Shannon Holness The community hubs that play a vital role in our Co-Authors neighbourhoods are the inspiration for this work. We Vince Schutt would like to thank the staff and residents from the Winnie Lin following hubs and organizations for taking time to Arunemathi Shanmugam share their insights, ideas and hopes: Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub, Bathurst-Finch Social Action Group, Report Design & Layout Community Hub, East Scarborough Rekha Sadasivan Storefront, Jane-Finch Hub, Malvern Family Resource Patrick Roycroft Centre, Mid-Scarborough Hub, North Resident Council, PARC, Community Hub, and the Victoria Community Hub Graphic Park Hub. Alexander Miranda We would like to thank The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) for making this project possible. TAF invests in urban solutions in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. We share their vision for a climate-smart urban region that functions within its environmental means and is a leader among climate-friendly urban centres around the world. We would specifically like to thank Mary Pickering, Ian Klesmer, and Diana Yoon for their ongoing support and advice as part of this project. This feasibility assessment was funded by The Atmospheric Fund. Finally, we would like to thank our key advisors, Paul Antze and Rosemarie Powell, for sharing their expertise and knowledge to inform the scope of this project.

We hope the stories of these hubs will inspire you as much as they have inspired us!

2 Table of Contents

Executive Summary 4

1. Project Context 7

2. Methods 8

3. Key Findings 10 3.1 What is the role of community hubs? 10 3.2 What are community hubs doing now? 12 3.3.What would community hubs like to do in the future? 22 3.4 What resources do community hubs need? 26

4. Recommendations 30

5. Annexes 32 Annex A: Core Consultation Questions 32 Annex B: Climate Initiatives Menu of Options 33 Annex C: Endnotes 34

6. About Us 35

3 Executive Summary

Project Context “Hubs can serve as a centralized area that community members can come to when they’re In early 2018, Enviromentum, a project of Tides looking for help with starting initiatives to , the Toronto Community Benefits Network, mitigate and adapt to climate change.” and the Toronto Environmental Alliance launched a - Participant, Inter-Hub Climate Forum, feasibility assessment to explore the role of July 2018 community hubs in addressing climate change. This exploration was based on the core assumption that community hubs can play a significant role in building the foundation of complete, low-carbon Key Findings communities. The project team was interested in the hub ‘one-stop’ service model, and the unique What is the role of community hubs? opportunity for amplifying the impact of The feasibility assessment explored the core climate-friendly practices and projects by engaging question: how can hubs serve as launch points the staff and residents who deliver programs and for wider community engagement in developing services at the hub and in the community. low-carbon communities? Overall, the response from hub stakeholders was overwhelming positive. This feasibility assessment was designed to inform Hubs are viewed as convening spaces for involving the implementation of the City of Toronto’s residents in civic issues, which can be TransformTO climate plan. TransformTO outlines immediately leveraged for building greater long-term goals and strategies for significantly climate-focused engagement. The hub environment reducing Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions, and is perceived as fertile ground for stimulating ideas achieving other positive benefits such as improving and sharing knowledge through both capacity- social equity, health and prosperity, while building a building programs and modelling good practices. low-carbon society. The plan contains an Hub stakeholders felt that community hubs offer acceleration campaign, Mobilizing Low-Carbon resources such as supportive staff, engaged Neighbourhoods, which focuses on catalyzing residents and physical space, which can be resident engagement and seeding solutions at the developed and leveraged to support climate neighbourhood level. This exploration was initiatives. specifically planned to generate insights on how the work of community hubs can contribute to What are community hubs are doing now? community and neighbourhood-level engagement Hubs are engaged in a wide range of initiatives that in climate solutions. generate positive outcomes for climate change and related co-benefit areas.

Methods Several hubs use their building infrastructure and grounds to model climate-friendly practices and Seven established community hubs and two host low-carbon projects. Examples include hub emerging hubs participated in the feasibility buildings that have been designed or retrofitted to assessment. From March to September 2018, be energy efficient, water conservation systems, the project team engaged hub staff and residents and onsite green space. Residents have been through a variety of consultation methods engaged in the planning and implementation of including: meetings, focus group discussions, an these initiatives, which are designed to build local online survey, and an Inter-Hub Climate Forum. capacity and create opportunities to experience sustainability concepts.

4 All hubs deliver programs and services in climate change training for resident leaders). Hub co-benefit areas such as food security, waste stakeholders articulated a clear future vision for diversion, green space and transportation. Food, the role of community hubs in advancing climate in particular, was perceived as a promising entry initiatives at the hub and in the community. point for engaging community members on climate change. Community gardens are at the heart of this What resources do community hubs need? programming, many of which are initially seeded Hub stakeholders identified the ways in which and supported by the hubs, but are led by highly current hub resources, such as human capital and active residents. These gardens serve as key physical spaces, can be enhanced and supported to platforms for launching initiatives with broader enable hubs to become more engaged in social equity aims. climate solutions. Staff and residents were clear that deepening these efforts is conditional on Resident engagement is a core focus for all hubs, accessing additional resources, such as funding as and is largely delivered through the United Way well as training and capacity-building for residents. Greater Toronto’s Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC) program. ANC focuses on nurturing resident Recommendations leadership, building civic engagement, and planning and implementing neighbourhood projects. Several Based on feedback from hub stakeholders, of the hubs have already integrated climate change recommendations have been generated on how into their resident engagement initiatives (e.g. hubs can be better supported and resourced to preparing residents for extreme weather and seed, grow and deepen climate initiatives: educating residents about climate impacts and solutions). • Leverage the engagement capacity of community hubs; What would community hubs like to do in the • Catalyze inter-hub collaboration on climate future? action; The majority of new climate projects that hub • Amplify the reach and impact of inspiring stakeholders would like to start are already being practices; done by other hubs. They identified the value in • Prioritize localized entry points and co-benefits; facilitating cross-pollination and knowledge • Invest through flexible and sustained funding. transfer across hubs. This can be complemented with targeted external support in some key areas to plan, kick-start or implement new projects (e.g. renewable energy projects or customized climate

Photo Credit: Jennifer Reilly

53 Community members participate in a safety audit. | Photo Credit: East Scarborough Storefront

6 1. Project Context

What does a low-carbon community look Community hubs, one of the principal elements of like? Who is leading the way and how do United Way Greater Toronto’s Building Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy, are physical centres we get there? which bring essential community supports and vital community space to underserved As Toronto works to prevent and adapt to the neighbourhoods in Toronto’s inner suburbs.3 growing impacts of climate change, activating both Community hubs provide a central access point for city-wide and local strategies will be essential. a range of health and social services, along with Neighbourhood-level initiatives will play a key role cultural, recreational, and green spaces to in reducing our emissions and building community nourish community life.4 Through this work, hubs resilience to extreme weather and other are uniquely positioned to bring new voices into climate-related challenges. These initiatives will Toronto’s climate discourse and develop also be integral to creating prosperity, improving climate-related projects that have a strong social equity, and generating other benefits on the emphasis on creating co-benefits. way to becoming a low-carbon city. In early 2018, three local organizations - In July of 2017, passed the Enviromentum, the Toronto Community Benefits TransformTO climate change strategy which Network, and the Toronto Environmental Alliance outlines long-term, low-carbon goals, and the - launched a feasibility assessment to explore the strategies for achieving them. The plan sets out role of community hubs in addressing climate bold targets for the City to achieve by 2050 change. It was based on the core assumption including: that community hubs can play a significant role in • retrofitting 100% of existing buildings; building the foundation of a complete, low-carbon • using 75% renewable or low-carbon energy; and community. • diverting 95% of the waste we produce.1 How can hubs serve as launch points for Another major focus of the plan is ensuring that climate actions are executed in a way that wider community engagement in generates co-benefits such as improving our health, developing low-carbon communities? growing our economy, improving social equity and reducing poverty. This is reflected in the fact that Over the past year, the project team has engaged in TransformTO leverages and aligns to the work of exploratory conversations with hub staff and other City divisions and strategies, such as the residents to gain better understanding of how they Toronto Neighbourhood Strategy, Tower Renewal, perceive this potential role. We engaged seven the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and plans to established hubs and two emerging hubs with a expand cycling and transit infrastructure.2 range of consultation methods including small and large group discussions and an Inter-Hub Climate To achieve TransformTO’s goals, broad-based and Change Forum. We asked hub stakeholders what deep engagement of city’s diverse neighbourhoods they were already doing in relation to climate will be necessary. The plan contains an solutions and co-benefits. We also asked them acceleration campaign focused on Mobilizing what they hoped to do in the future, and what Low-Carbon Neighbourhoods, which focuses resources and support they would need to start, specifically on catalyzing resident engagement sustain and deepen their climate initiatives. This and seeding solutions at the neighbourhood level. report outlines key findings on hubs’ current Applying a neighbourhood lens to this work can climate-related initiatives, their future aspirations support the development of innovative, place-based and plans, and the project team’s initiatives that emphasize co-benefits and tangibly recommendations. improve the lives of community members.

7 2. Methods

Outreach Hub. The project team also engaged “emerging” hub initiatives based in the Jane-Finch and The initial outreach goal of the feasibility Parkdale neighbourhoods, which are still in the assessment was to engage three to four planning phase. community hubs. The project team reached out to hubs across the city via email, explaining the purpose of the feasibility assessment and Engagement Methods and Approach requesting an initial meeting. In some cases, the project team had prior relationships with contacts The project team engaged staff and residents at the hubs, and in others, it was the first point of linked to the hubs through a variety of contact. As such, participation was essentially consultation methods (Figure 1). The form and determined by the community hubs through an depth of the engagement depended on staff and opt-in, self-selection process. residents’ availability and interest, and varied from hub to hub. The project team tried to maintain flexibility, and where possible, adapt the Participating Hubs consultation process and tools to accommodate hub stakeholders needs. All of the engagement Seven “established” community hubs, which have tools were based on a core set of consultation physical buildings and have been operating for questions developed by the project team (Annex A), several years, participated in the feasibility which were modified to fit the parameters of the assessment: Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub, Dorset different engagement opportunities offered by the Park Community Hub, East Scarborough Storefront, hub stakeholders (e.g. length and format of Malvern Family Resource Centre, Mid-Scarborough community and staff meetings; number of Hub, Rexdale Community Hub, and the Victoria Park participants).

Figure 1: Consultation methods and number of participants engaged per community hub.

8 A resident talks to hub partners at Dorset Park Day. | Photo Credit: Dorset Park Community Hub

The consultation process took place from March their preferred climate-related initiatives and a to September 2018. The first point of engagement visualized a climate-friendly future by posting generally started with meeting hub staff for an cut-out images on to a vision board. The team initial discussion, which was documented in note was able to connect with several members of form. Hub staff described climate-related the Dorset Park gardening group at this event. initiatives, future plans and goals, challenges and lessons learned. In some cases, staff completed a • In addition, members of the Parkdale follow-up online survey. The Bathurst-Finch Unison community reached out to the project team and Hub team organized a “lunch and learn” and short had a phone discussion. consultation session with staff from partner agencies operating at the hub. Inter-Hub Climate Forum The core consultation process for the feasibility Staff at several hubs helped the project team to assessment was conducted at an Inter-Hub Climate connect with local residents groups: Forum organized by the project team. The forum convened 22 participants representing seven hubs, • Bathurst-Finch Social Action Group (linked to who self-identified as followed: 11 staff (working the Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub) - the project for the hub or an agency based at the hub) and 11 team conducted a focus group discussion with residents (participating in community groups linked this residents group. to or supported by the hub).

• North Etobicoke Resident Council (linked to the The project team used a variety of facilitation Rexdale Community Hub) - the project team methods and exercises to gather feedback at the facilitated a short questionnaire at a regular forum including: small and large group discussions meeting, which was completed through documented by table facilitators; voting discussions in small groups. prioritization (dotmocracies); and a future visualization exercise. The forum concluded with a • Dorset Park Day - the project team was participant survey, which sought feedback on the invited to have a booth at this annual workshop and asked participants to rate their level community event organized by the Dorset Park of agreement with the core feasibility assessment Community Hub. Residents visiting the booth question. participated in activities where they voted on

9 3. Key Findings

3.1 What is the role of community hubs?

What We Heard

This feasibility assessment was designed to explore the question:

“How can hubs serve as launch points for wider community engagement in developing Figure 2: Survey results from 21 participants, Inter-Hub Climate low-carbon communities?” Forum, July 2018.

The assessment sought feedback from hub stakeholders to determine whether or not hubs can play this role, and if so, how this role can be Figure 2 shows the results of this exercise, which defined, developed and resourced. was done anonymously. The response from participants to the survey question was This question was explored in a number of overwhelmingly positive, which echoed the consultation settings including meetings and focus sentiment expressed during the Forum’s group discussions with hub staff and residents, and discussions and other consultation interactions during the project’s Inter-Hub Climate Forum held with staff and residents. Several themes emerged in July 2018. At the end of the Forum, participants from participants’ explanations for why hubs can were asked to individually respond to a survey play an effective climate engagement role. question rating their level of agreement to the assessment question (in the form of a statement), and explain their answer.

Participants at the Inter-Hub Climate Forum.| Photo Credit: Jennifer Reilly

10 “Community hubs can be a great asset to further helping communities in becoming climate friendly.”

A community garden in Rexdale. | Photo Credit: Halyna Zalucky

Themes

Convening space for engagement - Hubs are a Leveraging and building on resources - Hubs have place where residents come together with the resources such as staff support, services and specific purpose of engaging in civic issues. This space, which can be used to help residents start convening role is perceived to be very successful projects to mitigate and adapt to climate change. and as a strong foundation upon which to build Resources can be pooled and leveraged to raise greater climate-focused civic engagement. more funding, with hubs acting as “patrons” to residents’ initiatives. “Community hubs are in a central location where “There is definitely potential, but I cannot residents can be engaged. Pooling of resources imagine this work will happen without added and services is an advantage.” funds and resources.”

Stimulating exchange of ideas & knowledge - Hubs Many hub stakeholders indicated that growing are well positioned to share knowledge on climate the role of hubs in climate-focused engagement change with residents. Beyond purveying is conditional on adequate, and potentially new, knowledge, hubs create space where different funding and resources. In conversations with hub ideas can be stimulated and exchanged among staff, they cautioned against adding new work onto residents. overstretched human and financial resources. The theme of resources is explored further in section “Where else can we as community 3.4. members share our thoughts?”

11 residents in developing initiatives that model 3.2 What are community hubs sustainability principles (Case Study pages 14-15). doing now? The capacity to implement climate-friendly The co-location of essential services is a infrastructure projects varies from hub to hub, and foundational element for building dense, walkable, can be impacted by a number of factors including if complete, low-carbon communities. The the hub building is: community hub ‘one-stop’ service model is • leased or owned; low-carbon by design. The carbon footprint of • occupied by the hub and its partners or shared individual agencies is significantly improved by with other tenants; being housed under one roof, and residents • a free-standing structure or in a commercial reduce their transportation emissions by accessing space; and these services closer to home. It also creates a • specifically built to green standards and/or unique opportunity for amplifying the impact of designed to promote green behaviours amongst climate-friendly practices and projects with the its occupants. staff and residents who deliver and access hub services. The Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub enjoys the unique advantage of being a custom-built hub with The consultation process revealed that hubs are environmental features. For example, the roof engaged in a wide range of initiatives that directly collects rainwater that is channeled to a cistern address climate change objectives and co-benefit under the hub, which holds up to 6,000 gallons of areas. These initiatives are described according to water. This water supply is used for the community three categories: garden, and meets the watering needs for the entire • Building Infrastructure and Grounds gardening season. The building was designed with • Programs and Services energy-saving features to optimize the use of • Resident Engagement natural light and minimize the use of electricity. The hub roof was built to host solar panels; a project It is important to recognize that in practice, these which local residents and hubs staff are keen to categories are often interrelated and fund. mutually-reinforcing in the context of delivering community programming. Since not all hubs enjoy the same level of decision-making autonomy over their premises, some may find it more difficult to undertake green Building Infrastructure and Grounds initiatives related to the building or physical grounds. This can also impact sustainability The physical infrastructure of hub buildings and practices inside the hub building. Staff from one grounds can be used to model low-carbon practice hub expressed that they found it challenging to and develop demonstration projects. While reduce waste when the building landlord was not projects such as renewable energy installations on obligated to participate in proper waste diversion hub grounds and building retrofits can achieve real (due to being located in a commercial plaza). reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, they also have the potential to inspire and engage the However, even within the context of differing residents visiting the hub. These initiatives can be access to building space and grounds, all of the harnessed to help residents of all ages hubs consulted have found ways to integrate visualize and contribute to building the elements “green” concepts into their physical environment. of a low-carbon community. Residents can acquire For example, while the Mid-Scarborough and new knowledge and skills by participating in the Rexdale Hubs do not have onsite gardens, they planning and implementation of such projects, have created green space within their buildings by ultimately building local capacity that can be installing green walls. While these projects are less leveraged for future climate-related initiatives. For interactive than a community garden, such example, the East Scarborough Storefront’s initiatives can still help to create a feeling of initiative to redesign its building and grounds has connectedness to the natural world for residents generated insights on how hubs can engage and staff.

12 Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub. | Photo Credit: Unison Health and Community Services

13 CASE STUDY East Scarborough Storefront Community-led Building & Grounds Design

SNAPSHOT THE DETAILS

The East Scarborough Storefront has been The Storefront first began serving the community celebrated for its Connected Community in Kingston Galloway/Orton Park in 2001. In 2007, Approach in facilitating grassroots neighbourhood the hub relocated to an old police station and transformation.5 Through a community design began the long process of redesigning the initiative, the Storefront engaged and empowered building and grounds to better serve the local residents to transform previously community’s needs. The community design underutilized land into dynamic community initiative used by the Storefront to engage residents spaces.6, 7 Sustainability and green design in the redesign and retrofit process offers local principles were a key focus of this work. Through best practice learnings.8 Through a community-led ongoing community transformation work, the team design process, the Storefront engaged local youth has worked with residents, including local youth, with architects, planners and designers in the to redesign and retrofit the hub building, construct conception, design, fundraising, approvals process, the sky-o-swale™ and provide resident engagement and construction of the building.9 Through support for local Tower Renewal projects. The engaging in these activities, the youth experienced Storefront is an excellent model for greening hubs mentorship and hands-on learning in design, infrastructure with strong community engagement construction, project management, and leadership and involvement. skills. Storefront has taken a modular approach to the retrofits as funding has become available, and over 3,000 square feet of renovations to the existing structure have been completed.10

Sports Court and Sky-o-swale™ | Photo Credit: East Scarborough Storefront

14 As part of the redesign and retrofit process, These partners were crucial in providing the design sustainability and green design principles were a expertise needed to complete the projects. key focus. Some of the design process goals The Storefront case study offers a robust example included: adaptive reuse of the robust existing of how environmental issues and concerns can be building and site; re-connection of the building and intertwined in efforts to serve the community’s site to the surrounding community and green immediate needs. spaces; resource and energy-efficiency; creative rainwater harvesting and shade structures; TAKE-AWAYS optimization of renewable energy sources; local food production; shade and naturalization • The hub building infrastructure and surrounding strategies; and accessibility for all.11 grounds offer an opportunity to develop and model green projects that help to raise The community design initiative also resulted in the awareness of sustainability issues in the design and construction of the Sky-o-swale™ onsite. community. The Sky-o-swale™ is a shade-water structure that filters rainwater through a green roof and into an • Hubs are often local community engagement underground cistern, which is used to irrigate the experts. Hubs can play an important convenor community garden on site.12 As part of the design and activator role by demonstrating onsite and construction work, the Storefront engaged a sustainability initiatives with co-benefit broad spectrum of partners and stakeholders opportunities, which help build greater including ERA Architects, Sustainable.TO, Architext, community interest and engagement. the City of Toronto Tower Renewal and Neighbourhood Revitalization Unit and other • The right partners are essential. Hubs need sustainability experts. partners that can provide technical, resource and training support to undertake projects that are linked to green design and sustainability.

15 Programs and Services The Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC) has food-related projects that aim to build social and In order to fulfill their purpose and mandate, economic empowerment, and community community hubs are located in underserved cohesion over the longer term. The MFRC is part of communities that experience high rates of the Community Engagement and Entrepreneurial poverty, marginalization and other socio-economic Development (CEED) initiative that is challenges. Many hubs are engaged in delivering establishing urban farm space in the city’s hydro programs and services that contribute directly to corridor. The concept is to address the barriers that the goals of high priority initiatives such as the City urban residents experience in accessing land for of Toronto’s Tower Renewal Program and the growing food in their communities, and to create a TOProsperity Poverty Reduction Strategy, both of model for other initiatives. The project is designed which are leveraged by TransformTO.13, 14 As such, to generate opportunities for newcomers and there is an opportunity to build on the relationships people of colour to apply the agricultural skills that and experience that hub service-providers have many bring from their communities of origin. It also gained through delivering programs to aims to deliver fresh, culturally appropriate and communities that are increasingly vulnerable to the affordable produce to the local community. The effects of climate change. This approach can help team hopes to create a space for skills with the development of more effective climate development and experiential learning for kids, engagement strategies based on which will promote the enjoyment of nature and neighbourhood-specific needs and priorities. being outside. Hub staff and residents proposed that climate engagement can be integrated directly into existing The MFRC currently has three other resident-led initiatives, particularly those that are focused on community gardens, including one where a resident co-benefit program areas such as food security, successfully advocated with her building waste diversion, green space and transportation. management to secure space in between her building and parking lot. Produce from the gardens Food Security helps to supplement the costs of a local meal During the consultation process, hub staff and program: a restaurant-style initiative serving 180 residents repeatedly identified food security as a community members who come together to enjoy potential entry point for engaging community a weekly meal. The future vision is to make this members on climate change. Hubs are very program entirely green by employing youth cyclists involved in delivering food security-related from the community to deliver produce using programs, and many of the most active residents canvas delivery bags made by a local women’s are engaged in these initiatives. Community sewing group. This would provide an opportunity to gardens are at the heart of this programming, many model environmental and circular economy of which are initially seeded and supported by the concepts (by reusing materials and repairing the hubs, but are led by residents. These garden bikes) and to build capacity in the local community. initiatives serve as a key platform for launching initiatives with broader social equity aims. Green Space For example, the produce from the Bathurst-Finch Hub staff and residents pointed out that Unison Hub’s garden is used to support a local food relatively simple activities provide opportunities bank. It also contributes to a farmers’ market to seed ideas or conversations about climate organized by the hub to address the lack of fresh change. Several of the hubs engage residents in produce available in the neighbourhood. conservation-type activities in green spaces such Similarly, the Dorset Park Community Hub supports as tree-planting (in public spaces and on their own a residents group engaged in a composting and property), planting and understanding the benefits community garden initiative that contributes to a of native plant species, and annual park clean-ups. local food bank. These initiatives address a vital These family-friendly activities provide residents element of a complete, low-carbon community: with the immediate, hands-on experience of local access to healthy food (Case Study pages contributing to the protection and upkeep of their 18-19). local green spaces, and can promote intergenerational knowledge-transfer. Staff and

16 residents felt that such activities could be used as a platform to support more in-depth environmental engagement.

Waste Diversion Many of the participants consulted identified waste diversion practices in the workplace and at community events as an important opportunity to encourage climate-friendly behaviour change. Hub staff were often very mindful of the need to improve their own office practices such as going paperless, and both staff and residents expressed pride in what was already being done to recycle, compost and use reusable plates and cutlery. They were also very concerned that they were not doing enough to model best practices. There was a strong desire to use community events held at the hubs to promote a more intentional message around the positive climate impacts of waste diversion.

Active Transportation Active transportation was identified as an area of interest, but not many of the hub stakeholders consulted were involved in existing programs. Two initiatives delivered through hubs were identified in the feasibility assessment. Scarborough Cycles is a collaborative project led by the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation in partnership with Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre, CultureLink Settlement and Community Services, the Toronto Cycling Think & Do Tank, and Cycle Toronto.15 This initiative has opened up bike hubs at multiple locations that provide access to bicycles, tools, do-it-yourself repair clinics, workshops, group rides, a bike mentorship program for newcomers, and civic engagement opportunities for residents.16 The Malvern Family Resource Centre hosts the 42 Rides Skateboard & BMX Drop youth program, offering skateboard and BMX sessions for youth of all skills levels, ages 6 and up, as well as bike repair workshops.17

The “living wall” at Rexdale Community Hub. | Photo Credit: Emmay Mah

17 Big on Green in Rexdale. | Photo Credit: Halyna Zalucky CASE STUDY Rexdale Community Hub & Rexdale Community Health Centre Programming for Community Priorities

SNAPSHOT

The Rexdale Community Hub has taken a variety of approaches that demonstrate how community engagement and education initiatives can advance environmental objectives. As a climate co-benefit, food security has a dynamic presence in the Hub’s programming, and the staff and residents work towards this goal in innovative ways. The Hub has facilitated initiatives to address locally identified needs by leveraging investments and funding for Tower Renewal, waste and climate action. The Urban Harvest: Rexdale project, and other initiatives facilitated by Big on Green and Recipe for Community, have spun-off innovative blueprints for projects that can serve as additional entry points to local climate engagement.

THE DETAILS

The Rexdale Community Hub serves the neighbourhood of North Etobicoke which includes the following communities: Mount Olive-Silver- stone-Jamestown, -Beaumond Heights, Elms-Old Rexdale, -The Westway, and . The goal of the Hub is to “provide innovative, client-centred, integrated health, social, legal, employment, and cultural services by working with the strengths of our residents and community.”18 The Hub hosts a satellite site for the Rexdale Community Health Centre (CHC) which emphasizes health promotion through community capacity-building programming that is delivered to parents, children, youth, seniors and caregivers.19 The CHC has been the Hub’s primary partner for climate-related outreach and program delivery. This work was seeded through partnerships with the City of Toronto’s Tower and Neighbourhood Revitalization Unit, Toronto Public Health, Big on Green, Community Microskills Development Centre, Rexdale Women’s Centre, Harvest and the Toronto Foundation.20, 21, 22

18 Entering Through a Co-Benefits Approach supermarket will bring stakeholders together to Deepening resident knowledge of public and support food access in Rexdale through the private local green spaces and waste diversion has wrap-around service model. The Hub hopes to been a focal point of both the Hub’s and CHC’s source good quality food from a partner grocer and initiatives, which aim to build community capacity sell food at a lower price to community members and develop community assets. For example, CHC’s that experience food insecurity. Unique populations Urban Harvest: Rexdale project worked to harvest impacted by food insecurity will be supported and redistribute the community’s food surplus. through this initiative. The , for Through this initiative, youth were trained to example, hosts seasonal employees that reside on educate their neighbours about the City’s Long the site temporarily and are surrounded by a food Term Waste Management Strategy.23 The youth desert for a significant portion of the year. became community animators, going door-to-door Presently, the CHC offers a weekly clinic to these in both multi-residential buildings and to single employees and also includes health promotion family homes to educate their neighbours on demonstrations to encourage better nutrition using principles such as swapping and sharing. items grown in the community garden at the Households were asked if they had excess food Racetrack. Ultimately, while this project is not that they could donate to local food banks, shelters explicitly about climate change, it has potential to and breakfast clubs for kids, with emphasis being significantly increase local access to healthy food, placed on perishable foods like fruits and health promotion services, and employment, all of vegetables growing on their properties. Through which are core elements for building a complete, this project, a hundred pounds of food was donated low-carbon community. and preserves made through canning. TAKE-AWAYS Through the Big On Green and Tower Renewal initiatives, community gardens were developed that • Food access is a major entry point that built resident capacity and collaboration, and connects climate action to people’s everyday introduced environmental concepts. While Big on concerns. The Rexdale Community Hub and Green began work in Rexdale with a project that CHC food security and waste diversion brought a “living wall” to the Hub, it adopted a initiatives demonstrate important co-benefit responsive community engagement approach and approaches that can be leveraged to build supported residents’ desire to establish a community interest and support for climate community garden. The garden became a space action. where residents were able to connect to the environment and created opportunities to sell and • By using a non-prescriptive approach to share produce. Tower Renewal’s Recipe for engaging residents, service providers can be Community program facilitated vital conversations responsive to community priorities and needs. around the principles that guide healthy multi- This creates opportunities for locally-relevant residential neighbourhoods.24 This program programming to introduce important highlighted the ways in which retrofits and building low-carbon concepts such as conscious envelope repairs contribute to positive consumption, food miles, and the sharing environmental outcomes, while supporting economy. residents’ community garden initiative. • The type of service delivery model matters. Next Steps Programs and services that address multiple The Rexdale Community Hub and CHC have an goals, and build community capacity, assets innovative vision for a “social supermarket” that and resilience, are better entry points for builds on their food security, health promotion, and engagement. A social supermarket has the community development programming. The social potential to activate community members on climate-related food concepts that the passive act of going to a food bank does not.

19 Resident Engagement family-friendly events that convene community members with hub partners. For example, the Hub Community hubs have a strong focus on activating organizes Dorset Park Day, an event where and collaborating with residents groups and residents of all ages enjoy food, fun activities, community organizations. Through these entertainment as well as visiting partner booths to structures, hubs engage members of the learn about local initiatives and programs. community in civic action as well as in planning and implementing neighbourhood initiatives. Hub staff Hubs can also play a role in convening residents to and residents overwhelmingly identified this work support community engagement processes with as the core strength of community hubs, and a other partner organizations. For example, East critical foundation upon which climate engagement Scarborough Storefront facilitated community could be built. Rather than trying to build parallel processes for a Tower Renewal project with two structures or processes, climate initiatives can be multi-residential towers close to the hub. As part of seeded through existing platforms and structures. the project, the Storefront team engaged residents in an extensive capacity-building and mentorship “Action for Neighbourhood Change is about process to help them set a vision for the project, transforming from ground up.” and worked with the landlord and other partners to achieve their vision. By working with building - Hub staff member residents, Storefront was able to support the creation of a resident-driven site plan and set up a The established hubs that participated in this tenant council to represent the interests of tenants assessment were implementing Action for in the building.27 Neighbourhood Change (ANC) as their central resident engagement program. ANC is a Lastly, community emergency preparedness community development initiative supported by initiatives were identified as an area to engage the United Way Greater Toronto, and a core part of residents in both climate mitigation and adaptation its Building Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy.25 By concepts. The Victoria Park Hub has worked with design, ANC looks different from neighbourhood Community Resilience to Extreme Weather (CREW), to neighbourhood, and hub to hub, but the program a local organization, to engage residents in generally nurtures resident leadership, emergency preparedness initiatives. In response to supporting them to plan and deliver initiatives that the 2013 ice storm that impacted many community bring positive change to their communities. For members, the Hub worked with local residents to example, in the Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood, ANC plan for future events and provide training around is implemented by Unison Health and Community emergency management. CREW worked with the Services (Case Study page 21), and provides City’s Office of Emergency Management to provide opportunities for residents to: support for these trainings and helped local residents develop emergency management plans • Get to know one another and their and kits. Leveraging the Hub’s relationships, CREW neighbourhood better; was able to work with resident leaders to provide • Come together, create a shared vision, and take basic emergency management training in collective action to improve the neighbourhood; multi-residential buildings with a high concentration • Work on neighbourhood issues in partnership of seniors. The partnership with an with other residents and agencies; environmentally-focused organization enabled the • Develop leadership skills in all aspects of life; Hub to engage residents in activities with • Plan community events for residents to attend synergistic goals in the areas of climate adaptation, and enjoy.26 neighbourhood resilience and emergency preparedness. The Dorset Park Community Hub facilitates a variety of resident engagement activities. During election time, the Hub conducts sessions to educate residents to help them understand issues across party campaign platforms and hosts all-candidates meetings. The Hub also holds

20 CASE STUDY energy, and placed them on a map of the Bathurst-Finch ANC, Unison Health community. Upon completion, the residents had collectively built their “complete community” of the & Community Services future. Both activities had full participation from the Resident-led Civic Engagement 50-60 residents of all ages who were in attendance for the Community Fun Day, including the local City SNAPSHOT Councillor.

The Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub has a dynamic Climate Change Engagement Events Social Action Group (SAG) led by highly engaged Building on their previous success with community residents, and supported by a dedicated town halls, the SAG organized a Climate Change Community Engagement Worker, who spearheads Forum hosted in the hub. This was their first event the ANC initiative at the hub. The SAG has fully dedicated to the issue, which offered an organized a range of activities that promote civic introduction to a broad range of concepts and engagement among residents including community initiatives: climate impacts, justice, solutions, town halls on topics such as housing, transit and co-benefits, resilience, and related municipal and food security, and preparing residents to depute local initiatives. These topics were delivered before City Council committees on locally-relevant through short videos and presentations by issues. The group has also started organizing representatives from organizations, community climate change initiatives through two different groups and the City, and included audience Q&A approaches: 1) integrating climate into discussions after each topic. Each participant non-environmental community events; and pledged to take a personal climate action by 2) designing events for residents with a specific signing their name on a poster. The event was climate focus. attended by about 30 participants.

THE DETAILS TAKE-AWAYS

Integrating Climate into Non-Environmental Events • With its resident-centred focus, the ANC The ANC program at the Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub program provides a strategic platform for held a Community Fun Day. This family-friendly launching climate-focused, civic engagement event featured food, dance and music activities. In neighbourhoods where there are performances by local groups, and included a active ANC programs, it makes sense to build civic engagement activity organized by the SAG. on this foundation, rather than start from The purpose of this activity was to introduce the scratch. TransformTO climate plan to community members . through conducting a dotmocracy and future • Both integrated and stand-alone visualization exercise.28 For the dotmocracy, approaches can be effective in engaging residents voted with stickers on menus of options residents in climate change, depending on the under the headings of transportation, behaviour audience. Adding climate engagement change, green space, energy and buildings. The elements to family-friendly community events menus of options were based on the ideas and is a great way to reach residents of all ages and themes that emerged from the City’s TransformTO backgrounds, especially those that don’t community engagement process, and residents participate in traditional civic engagement prioritized the areas where they would like to see a activities. Events with a specific climate focus positive change.29 can be effective for residents who wish to deep- en their engagement with the issue. For the second activity, residents were asked to envision the Bathurst-Finch community in 2050. • Methods matter. A combination of engagement Residents selected foam stickers with visual icons tools such as discussion, voting, prioritization, from different categories including: community public pledges and visualization, can enable spaces, homes, jobs, food, accessible streets, participation by residents of different ages, services, education, green spaces and renewable backgrounds and levels of knowledge and familiarity with climate change. Community Fun Day: Residents envision the community in 2050. | Photo Credit: Bathurst-Finch Social Action Group

21 3.3 What would hubs like to do in the future? During the feasibility assessment, hub staff and residents were asked if there were climate-related Top Dotmocracy Results: initiatives they would like to see at their community What would you like to see at your hub? hub in the future. They described growing initiatives that have already been seeded as well as starting new projects. Notably, the majority of the new projects that hub stakeholders would like to start are already being doneLo byrem other ipsum hubs, with the exception of major renewable energy projects and customized climate change training and capacity-building for residents. This points to the value of enabling cross-pollination and knowledge transfer across hubs, complemented with targeted Energy external support in some key areas to plan, kick-start or implement new projects. Renewable Energy (RE) at Hub

The most in-depth feedback from hub stakeholders Community RE Programs on their climate goals and aspirations was gathered at the Inter-Hub Climate Forum held in July 2018. Prior to the Forum, the project team developed a menu of options based on discussions with hub staff and residents about the climate-related projects they were already undertaking and what they hoped to do in the future (see Annex B for the full menu of options). As participants entered the forum, they were asked to participate in a “dotmocracy” using the menu of options entitled “Our Future Climate-Friendly Hub: What would you like to see at your hub?” Climate initiatives were categorized into five general headings: green space; transportation; energy; civic engagement and education; and sharing economy and green jobs. Each of the 22 forum participants was given three dots and asked to select their top three priorities across all the options. Figure 3 shows the top results of the “dotmocratic” voting.

Coincidentally, the voting resulted in each of the five categories having two top-rated options. The options receiving the most votes were: community/ rooftop garden, renewable energy at the hub, skills development programs for green jobs, programs promoting walking/cycling, and climate change education. These initiatives featured prominently in Figure 3: Top Results from the Climate Initiatives the group discussions that followed, with climate Dotmocracy, Inter-Hub Climate Forum, July 2018. change education, training and capacity-building for residents coming to the forefront of many discussions.

22 Participants envision future climate initiatives at the Inter-Hub Climate Forum. | Photo Credit: Jennifer Reilly

Participants vote in a climate initiatives “dotmocracy”at the Inter-Hub Climate Forum. | Photo Credit: Jennifer Reilly

23 Visualization Exercise: • The prevailing culture at the hub prevents waste Looking into the Future and embraces sharing and circular economy principles. Everything from desks to pens are made from natural materials. With a full After sharing and discussing their present system of recycling, composting (in the hub climate-related projects, forum participants garden), and using reusable materials for engaged in a visualization exercise to reflect on operations, the hub is free of garbage bins. and discuss what their hubs would look like in the These principles are also integrated into the future. hub’s programs. The hub hosts onsite initiatives

such as repair cafes, where residents can fix Imagine 10 years from now. Hubs have become their electronics and appliances; tool libraries to the main launch point for supporting residents lend items to residents; and markets to develop community solutions to climate specifically for upcycling. Community-based change. What does this look like? What is initiatives, such as social supermarkets, are happening at the hub? In the community? also expanded to include used clothing and other upcycle exchanges. Forum participants imagined: • There is a growing movement in every hub to • The hub building is net-zero. It is built or grow and share healthy local food. The hub retrofitted to be energy efficient with a passive houses a resource centre for community food design that enables easy, low-cost ways of programs and facilities such as a community minimizing energy use and adapting to the kitchen and fridge that promote food exchange. natural world, such as having a rain water The hub’s community garden has evolved into a reservoir on site. Green space is integrated into micro-farm, and residents are cultivating plots the building in the form of indoor green walls on local community farms. These initiatives and a rooftop garden. This space is used to generate produce for regular farmers’ markets engage community members of different ages and a mobile food market, which improve through innovative projects such as “bee residents’ access to healthy, fresh food. hotels”. The hub is powered by renewable Systems are in place to eliminate food waste, energy, hosting solar panels on the roof and in wherein residents share, exchange and the parking lot, which support charging stations redistribute surplus food to other residents in for the electric vehicle rideshare. need.

• The hub grounds host a transportation hub that • The hub’s programs help more residents to is connected to local transit, and part of broader access green jobs in the local economy. The infrastructure supporting dedicated bike and hub provides space to green businesses and bus lanes. With the exception of the rideshare, social enterprises, and skills development the parking lot has been converted into bike training on insulation and building maintenance. parking, since the hub’s programs promote By providing informational resources and active modes such as cycling and walking. working with landlords, the hub creates demand Residents are able to easily borrow or rent from for retrofits of multi-residential buildings in the the bike-share facility, which helps people to community. learn how to ride, maintain and repair bikes.

24 • Residents are empowered to act on climate • The hub, like all others across the city, has a change and work on low-carbon initiatives. resident-led climate community that started Residents access regular workshops on climate with a small group of residents and grew. The solutions and green practices, as well as how to group is part of a broader inter-hub network communicate about climate change. linking residents across the city. Residents Special attention is given to communicating access training, and peer-based learning and using accessible language and visuals aids so support, giving them the confidence to engage that everyone is included in the conversation. in civic advocacy on climate issues. Residents The hub supports innovative ways of learning, participate in processes at municipal, including using the space to help community provincial, and federal levels, and host members interact with green practices and community town halls and forums on local harness technology to elicit their ideas. climate change concerns. They also advocate Partnerships have been formed that integrate for other issues related to climate such as knowledge from Indigenous people, promote housing insecurity and homelessness. Lastly, intergenerational and intercultural collaboration, the hub provides important wrap-around and link with the public education system to services such as child care, services for seniors, promote lifelong learning. and mental health and wellness programs, which play a vital role in supporting residents to lead climate initiatives in their neighbourhoods.

Youth participate in a design charrette. | Photo Credit: East Scarborough Storefront

25 hubs and broader community. These attributes 3.4 What resources do were seen as underpinning the strategic community community hubs needs? engagement that happens through hub initiatives.

Community residents and hub staff provided Resources Needed feedback on the resources that hubs need to sustain and grow efforts focused on climate During the Inter-Hub Climate Forum, hub change. They identified the ways in which current stakeholders participated in a “resources hub resources such as human capital and physical dotmocracy” prioritization and voting exercise spaces can be enhanced and supported to enable based on a list of resources developed through hubs to become more engaged in climate prior discussions with hub staff and residents. solutions. Staff and residents were explicitly clear that deepening these efforts is conditional on Participants were asked to reflect on the following accessing additional funding and resources. question:

Current Strengths & Resources If your hub was to become more involved in engaging residents in climate change solutions, Hub staff and residents were asked to identify what additional resources would you need to which of their hub’s strengths and resources could support your work? be leveraged to engage residents in climate solutions. Participants defined resources in varied Each participant voted for their top three resource ways, and frequently cited space, service delivery priorities (Figure 4). The results demonstrated a and people-power as key resources. These desire to see investment in areas identified as resources were highlighted not only because they important strengths and assets to leverage for are a benefit of the one-stop service model, but also climate initiatives. for the ways in which they support community mobilization and capacity development The top five priorities selected were: funding; around local issues. From technological resources training/capacity-building for hub residents; such as screen projectors, computer access and resident/community support for initiatives; human Wi-Fi connections, to larger resources such as resources (hub staff); and training/capacity- community kitchens and access to plots for building for hub staff. In discussions, participants gardening, space and facilities were highlighted as overwhelmingly cited the lack of consistent important assets. Many residents were aware of funding as a key impediment to mounting an the improvements to the building systems and the effective local response to climate change. Much steps taken to make the hubs more climate-friendly of their climate-related engagement work is such as waste diversion practices. project-based and dependent on grants being secured. Staff and residents noted that hub programs make effective use of the space to convene residents to The consequence of piecemeal or insufficient organize community outreach. The hub staff and funding is that broad and sustained engagement partners support capacity-building processes and suffers. It also hampers opportunities to monitor facilitate engagement that is locally-focused. and track their progress towards achieving Residents are able to draw on these resources to engagement outcomes. In between projects, hub respond to the challenges in their neighbourhoods. staff and residents work hard to ensure relationships are maintained between stakeholders, The leadership of highly engaged residents was and that assets, both tangible and intangible, are identified as one of the most valuable resources on nourished. which to draw. Hub stakeholders identified motivation, passion for change, empathy and knowledge as key characteristics of dedicated individuals making significant contributions to the

26 Hub stakeholders emphasized that staff currently Building resident capacity, expanding outreach and have limited time and competing priorities, making engagement efforts, and scaling up promising it challenging to fully dedicate efforts to climate projects were all identified as important priorities by initiatives. Hub staff cautioned against stretching hub stakeholders. With strong partnerships and limited resources with additional work. community assets in place, stakeholders feel that there is a solid platform on which to build climate Some stakeholders suggested that there is a need engagement efforts. They are seeking tangible for core funding to support key staff and commitments from policymakers and funders to community animator positions to deliver climate invest in community-level climate mitigation and programs. If given the opportunity, some resident adaptation initiatives. leaders could be employed to facilitate and animate local climate initiatives. With sufficient funding, this largely untapped resource could sustain resident-led engagement activities linked to local priorities.

Resources Dotmocracy: Total Number of Votes

Funding 16 Training / capacity building for hub residents 12 Resident / community support for initiatives 9 Human resources - hub staff 7 Training / capacity building for hub staff 7 Hub leadership / management support for initiatives 5 Human resources - residents 3 to volunteer Physical space 3 Technical support / expertise 2 Dedicated time 1

Figure 4: Results from Resources Dotmocracy, Inter-Hub Climate Forum, July 2018.

27 4. Recommendations

Through multiple points of engagement and • Partnership brokering to help hubs achieve consultation with hub stakeholders, this feasibility their climate-related goals and projects. assessment established that there is a high level of Partners can provide hubs with a range of support for growing and deepening climate technical skills and expertise required to initiatives. Many of the hubs have already planned undertake climate initiatives (e.g. environmental and implemented programs, services and practices communications, workplace and program that generate positive environmental and climate practices, and infrastructure development). outcomes. The following recommendations have been developed based on the learning and Catalyze Inter-Hub Collaboration on experiences from these initiatives, and the future aspirations and goals shared by hub Climate Action. stakeholders. These recommendations propose One of the key insights that emerged from the how hubs’ climate-related projects can be better Inter-Hub Climate Forum was the appetite from hub supported and leveraged to engage residents in stakeholders for more Inter-Hub collaboration and building equitable, low-carbon communities across knowledge sharing. Many of the hub stakeholders the city. were not aware of the depth or range of the climate-related projects led by other hubs in the Leverage the Engagement Capacity of city. The majority of the new projects that hub Community Hubs. stakeholders would like to start are already being done by other hubs. Facilitating knowledge sharing Community hubs are experienced in facilitating and collaboration between hubs can help localized community engagement and supporting encourage peer-to-peer learning to seed and grow resident-led initiatives; both of which are core climate initiatives. ingredients for activating local climate solutions. This work provides a foundation for seeding and Proposed Actions: supporting neighbourhood and community-level • Inter-Hub knowledge sharing forums, climate initiatives. While hub staff and stakeholders workshops and other learning opportunities for are not experts in climate action, many have hub staff and residents. These opportunities expertise in community engagement, which is can be delivered on a peer-to-peer basis or critical for developing initiatives that are responsive facilitated by partner organizations with the to community priorities and needs. Hubs can specific purpose of promoting knowledge engage partners with different skill sets and transfer and exchange for climate initiatives. resources in developing and executing climate projects, who complement their community • Exposure trips, case studies and other “how expertise. to” tools. These can be used to spark interest, garner support and build confidence for Proposed Actions: starting climate initiatives. Developing a • Capacity-building training on climate customized “good practice” toolkit focused on communications and low-carbon solutions for climate-friendly programs and practices may be residents groups. These groups can be helpful. equipped and supported to transfer their knowledge and engage their peers. • Peer mentorship and knowledge transfer for emerging hubs. Formal or informal mentorship • Civic engagement and education programs as arrangements can be made among established an immediate point of integration. There is an hubs and new, emerging hubs. There is a huge opportunity to introduce climate (e.g. hosting opportunity for emerging hubs to benefit from community climate conversations) into existing learning about sustainable design and programs that convene new and diverse implementation processes while still in the residents. planning stage.

28 Youth bring down the fence. | Photo Credit: East Scaborough Storefront

29 Amplify the Reach and Impact of Prioritize Localized Entry Points and Inspiring Practices. Co-Benefits.

As a co-location space for a wide range of agencies Working with community-centred approaches on and programs, hubs offer a unique opportunity to a neighbourhood scale, hubs are often well-versed engage diverse service providers and their clients in in local key priorities and needs. Hubs are already climate initiatives. In addition, as a place where working on the climate engagement entry points residents convene for meetings and events, hubs and co-benefit areas that are important to their are ideal for housing pilots and demonstration catchment communities. These entry points can be projects that help community members to critical in informing the design of future low-carbon experience and participate in low-carbon solutions. initiatives to support broader and more diverse By modelling best practices and innovative engagement in climate solutions. projects, hubs can help to seed and mobilize support for initiatives within the neighbourhood, Proposed Actions: community and city. • Community food activities and events as an entry point for climate engagement and Proposed Actions: education. Most hubs have dynamic community • Low-carbon projects designed to facilitate garden programs that are led by highly engaged resident participation in planning, residents who understand the interrelated implementation and evaluation. Climate nature of food production and climate change. projects that promote meaningful resident engagement not only build valuable skills and • Waste reduction and diversion initiatives as an capacity, but can result in better outcomes. experiential learning opportunity. This is a tangible way to reinforce personal • Climate-related upgrades of the hub building, climate-friendly behaviours in the hub and interior space or grounds. These projects can community by enabling residents to gain be optimized for climate impact and firsthand experience of good practices at the engagement, and can be done as infrastructure hub and through community outreach work becomes necessary, and/or as modular programs. projects for which funding is sought. • Strategic identification and development of • Redesign of spaces, processes or systems co-benefit projects. With support from funders, within the hub. Residents’ experience of the hub partners and residents, hubs can plan and environment can serve as an important learning implement projects that align with community and engagement opportunity (e.g. waste priorities and generate climate and other social diversion systems can be designed to motivate and economic benefits (e.g. renewable energy, and reinforce behaviour change). green jobs and transportation initiatives).

30 Invest through Flexible and Sustained • Year-on-year funding streams that support Funding. projects to go from pilot to scale, and continue as core programming. This funding can provide flexibility to the hub for core costs such Hubs share the common challenge of designing as staffing, training and other resources that are and delivering programs to address specific essential for growing and sustaining climate community priorities, while struggling with limited programs. or precarious funding. Climate-related initiatives are not always conceived of as essential services, and without continuous funding, these initiatives are difficult to sustain. Hubs can benefit from long-term funding that supports the emergence and scaling of a mosaic of innovative, hyper-local climate initiatives. “In world where community is harder to come by, hubs can be the place where Proposed Actions: community thrives.” • Non-prescriptive, engagement-focused funding - Participant, Inter-Hub Climate Forum, pathways. This can help to seed low-carbon July 2018 initiatives that prioritize co-benefits designed to meet local needs and engage new audiences.

Community Fun Day TransformTO Dotmocracy. | Photo Credit: Bathurst-Finch Social Action Group

31 5. Annexes

Annex A: Core Consultation Questions

1. What would you say are the top priorities for residents and communities served by your hub?

2. How much do you agree with the following statement:

“Community hubs can serve as launch points for wider community engagement in developing low-carbon communities.” [visual agreement scale 0-10]

Why did you choose the number you selected?

3. a. What is your hub already doing that could serve as a good entry point to engaging community members in climate change? [or] b. What are some of the programs, services or initiatives that your residents group or hub already has which are linked to climate change and environmental issues?

4. Are you especially proud of a certain environmental initiative your hub is doing? Tell us a bit more about it.

5. a. Are there any specific climate-related initiatives that you would like ot start? What resources would you need? [or] b. What climate-related programs, services or initiatives would you like to see your hub start?

6. Imagine 10 years from now. Hubs have become the main launch point for supporting residents to develop community solutions to climate change. What does this look like? What is happening at the hub? In the community?

7. What are the current strengths and resources of your hub (and residents group) that can help engage community members in climate change solutions?

8. If your hub was to become more involved in engaging residents in climate change solutions, what additional resources would you need to support your work?

9. What would you like to come out of this feasibility assessment? For example, are there specific results you would like to see or things you would like to learn?

32 Annex B: Climate Initiatives Menu of Options

Our Future Climate-Friendly Hub: What would you like to see at your hub?

Environmental & Green Space • Green space on hub grounds • Field trips to green spaces • Tree planting • Recycling or composting programs in the hub or community • Programs that promote clean air or water • Neighbourhood or park clean ups • Community or rooftop gardens • Fresh produce markets

Sharing Economy & Green Jobs • Used clothing drives or swaps • Libraries • Tool libraries • Skills development programs for green jobs • Job fairs for green jobs

Transportation • Programs that promote walking and/or cycling • Bike infrastructure (e.g. racks and bike-share) • Public transit promotion • Carpooling or ride-sharing services • Electric car charging stations

Energy • Make the hub more energy efficient • Home energy efficiency programs • Community renewable energy programs • Renewable energy at the hub

Civic Engagement & Education • Climate change civic engagement training • Climate change education • Arts activities with a climate focus • Social activities with a climate focus • Community support networks for extreme weather • Emergency preparedness planning

Residents explore the outdoors. | Photo Credit: Victoria Park Hub

33 Annex C: Endnotes 1, 2TransformTO. City of Toronto. Accessed at: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmen- tally-friendly-city-initiatives/transformto/

3, 25Building Strong Neighbourhoods. United Way of Greater Toronto. Accessed at: https://www.unitedwaygt.org/strong-neighbourhoods

4 The Community Hubs of Toronto. Accessed at: http://www.communityhubs.ca/about

5Connected Community Approach. East Scarborough Storefront. Accessed at: https://thestorefront.org/how/the-connected-community-approach/

6, 8, 9, 10, 11Community Design Initiative at East Scarborough Storefront. Accessed at: https://thestorefront.org/project/community-design-initiative/

7ERA. East Scarborough Storefront. Accessed at: http://www.eraarch.ca/project/east-scarborough-storefront/

12Sky-o-Swale (East Scarborough Storefront). Accessed at: https://www.sustainable.to/sky-o-swale/xvd1hjipws5omjjymkhq1ve9s9yul4

13City of Toronto’s Tower Renewal Program. Accessed at: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/community/tower-renewal/

14Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy. Accessed at: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability- operations-customer-service/long-term-vision-plans-and-strategies/poverty-reduction-strategy/

15, 16Scarborough Cycles. Accessed at: http://www.scarboroughcycles.ca/scarborough-cycles/

1742 Rides Skateboard & BMX Drop In program. Accessed at: http://mfrc.org/youth-13-24-years/42-rides-skateboard-bmx-drop-in

18Rexdale Community Hub. Accessed at: http://rexdalehub.org/

19Rexdale Community Health Centre. Accessed at: https://www.rexdalechc.com/

20, 21Ali Raza. Community garden brings together residents of Rexdale apartment buildings. Etobicoke Guardian (27 July 2015). Accessed at: https://www.toronto.com/news-story/5753152-community-garden-brings-together-residents-of-rex- dale-apartment-buildings/

22Tower Community Initiatives. Accessed at: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/community/tower-renewal/recipe-for-community/

23Rexdale CHC and Urban Harvest Reduce Waste from Local Gardens (27 October 2017). Accessed at: https://www.rex- dalechc.com/about-us/what-s-new/news/~59-Rexdale-CHC-and-Urban-Harvest-Reduce-Waste-from-Local-Gardens

24Recipe for Community. Accessed at: https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/partnerships-sponsorships- donations/partner-2/community-programs/recipe-for-community/

26Action for Neighbourhood Change - Bathurst-Finch. Unison Health and Community Services. Accessed at: https://unisonhcs.org/service/action-for-neighbourhood-change-bathurst-finch/

27The Tower Community that Could - Report by Jaime Elliott-Ngugi and Anne Gloger. Accessed at https://thestorefront. org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/The-Tower-Community-That-Could-Nov-12.compressed.pdf

28Community Fun Day Activities Report. Bathurst-Finch Social Action Group. September 2017.

29TransformTO Community Engagement Report 2015-2016. City of Toronto. Accessed at: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-con- tent/uploads/2017/10/994a-TransformTO-Community-Engagement-Report-2015-%E2%80%93-2016.pdf

34 6. About Us

This project is a collaboration between Enviromentum, the Toronto Community Benefits Network and the Toronto Environmental Alliance. Our project team first convened together through our participation on the City of Toronto’s Modeling Advisory Group, which contributed to the development of the TransformTO climate change strategy.

Enviromentum, a project of Tides Canada, uses approaches informed by behaviour change science to motivate people to adopt environmentally responsible behaviours. Enviromentum collaborates with individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to catalyze a cultural shift to a more equitable, low-carbon society. Enviromentum has worked with over 1,000 young people, and 500 environmental organizers and community leaders, to build their capacity using evidence-informed, motivation and values-based tools. To learn more, please visit enviromentum.org.

Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) is a community-labour coalition that has centred itself at the forefront of the economic justice movement in Canada by negotiating Community Benefits Agreements into public infrastructure and urban development projects. In so doing, TCBN is addressing the challenges of access to good jobs, local economic development, and neighbourhood and environmental revitalization, particularly as they impact on historically disadvantaged communities and equity seeking groups in Toronto. TCBN has made significant achievements, including negotiating ’s first ever Community Benefits Framework with the provincial agency Metrolinx, in addition to lobbying for the enshrinement of community benefits in provincial law. To learn more, please visit communitybenefits.ca.

Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) has campaigned locally to find solutions to Toronto’s urban environmental problems for the last 30 years. As a not-for-profit organization, TEA advocates on behalf of all Torontonians for a green, healthy and equitable city and has extensive experience engaging residents on climate change issues. With more than 60,000 supporters across the city, TEA acts as an environmental watchdog at City Hall on a range of environmental issues including climate change, waste, toxics and air quality. TEA continues to broaden the scope of work on climate change by taking an intersectional approach to this work as it relates to equity, social justice and economic prosperity. To learn more, please visit torontoenvironment.org.

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